Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Children in Care:

Abstract #128
A Trauma-Informed Analysis of the Trajectories and Resilience Capacities of Youth in Child Protective Services Group Care
Presenter:Lise Milne Co - Presenters: Delphine Collin-Vézina, Christine Wekerle
Abstract:
This presentation describes findings on a population of youth in out-of-home group care (OHGC) who participated in the Maltreatment and Adolescent Pathways (MAP) study, the first Canadian longitudinal study of youth involved with Child Protective Services. Trauma-informed assessments of youth in OHGC is an especially growing concern in light of their well-documented trauma exposures, multiple victimizations, behavior problems and acute mental health symptoms. Youth also experience additional chronic stressors including separation from families, peers, and communities, multiple moves, impermanence, and uncertainty. Three related areas will be examined: (1) The profiles of youth at baseline regarding their traumatic experiences, trauma-related symptoms, age, gender, and length of time in care; (2) Their trajectories six months later, with regard to how their mental health profiles evolved over time; and (3) Their trajectories 18 months later, with regard to their resilience capacities in relation to previous and current mental health. The aim is to better understand the trauma profiles and trajectories of this vulnerable, yet understudied population. In addition, it aims to identify the conditions that support the healthy development of youth who lack individual, family, community, and socio-political resources to sustain health and well-being in the face of multiple adversities.

Abstract #156
Child Resilience in Out-of-Home Care: Child Welfare Worker Perspectives 
Presenter: Tessa Bell Co - Presenters: Elisa Romano 
Abstract:
The study of resilience and its associated factors is highly applicable to child welfare as children living in out-of-home care have often experienced adversity and are vulnerable to the development of difficulties across various domains. The use of qualitative research in the study of resilience is scarce, with the majority of such studies based on the U.K. or U.S. child welfare systems. Therefore, the goal of this study was to gain child welfare workers’ perspectives on resilience and to explore factors that they believe influence resilience. Eleven child welfare workers from Ontario (Canada) participated in a semi-structured interview, which was developed using an ecological perspective and as such, inquired about sources of resilience from within children themselves, their family, their community, and the child welfare worker and agency. A number of factors associated with resilience (e.g., child intelligence) were identified; however, the critical importance of a child’s relationships underpinned all factors discussed. In addition, the dynamic interrelationships between levels of the ecological model and how these can impact a child’s resilience were highlighted. The findings highlight the importance of including the perspectives of all those involved in the child welfare system in assessing the well-being of children in out-of-home care.

Abstract #186
Implementing the Resilience Framework in Kinship Care Practice
Presenter: Lindsay Hill 
Abstract:
The Resilience Framework (RF) was developed by Hart, Blincow and Thomas (2007). It emphasises the co-production of knowledge and methods of working which are sensitive to the dynamic, political and relational nature of care. In the UK formal kinship care is a term that is used to refer to statutory arrangements in which children who have experienced abuse are looked after by extended family members. Research has identified that carers are living in situations of disadvantage and that their support needs are unmet. Kinship carers and the children they were caring for were engaged in collaborative action research. A research group comprised of seven kinship carers met for a period of twelve months, they learnt about the RF approach and explored ways of applying it in their care of children. Photo- voice was a method used to enable carers to reflect on their caring practices. Carers acquired a language through which to talk about doing kinship care. It increased their sensitivity to children and highlighted for them their own needs as carers. The impact of the subtle processes of power and disadvantage were revealed in the pictures they brought to the group. Drawing on an ethic of care the paper will also focus on how practitioners can seek to maintain responsiveness to what RF informed interventions are designed to achieve and the impact they have for children.